Home  :  Shop  :  Contact Us  :  Join Club  :  Globe Newsletter  :  Collectables  :  Benjamin Smith

76TK005  -  Fairground Organ Bedford TK

1:76 Scale

Several years ago I attended the Great Dorset Steam Fair and since then I have returned each year, roping in anyone who will help me at our stand! I have met many friends there. Barry is thankfully back this year after a period of illness, although he still continues treatment. Ken misses this year through illness - we all wish you well. There is something about the show that grows on you - it is my 'holiday' each year as I get to work only 10 hours a day! 

In my first year I saw a Bedford TK, at that time we were just planning to release our new TK model and this vehicle fascinated me, I am still not sure why. I took lots of pictures and I remember saying to the gentleman who was sitting alongside it, that I would make a model of it. On my return I had Rob to make a prototype model,  it was very detailed. I then costed it out and came to the sad conclusion that it was totally unviable. The next year was a little embarrassing as the gentleman returned to see if I had made a model. Sheepishly I said it would come one day, but we had a lot on our hands at the moment. The next year I ducked when he came to our stand. However I always managed to get a picture of it as I passed by each night, as Kate and I went looking for our supper. It was only later that I learned that the vehicle actually belonged to Michael Oliver M.B.E. - even though his name was printed on the door! He founded the Great Dorset Steam Fair over 40 years ago, today it is visited by over 200,000 people lasting 5 days, always towards the end of August.

Sadly Michael passed away last November and I felt that this would be a suitable way of commemorating his life. So here we have it, a one off model that comes in a special Great Dorset Steam Fair wrap. We will also be donating proceeds from the model to a charity nominated by the family. We will sell some to the club prior to the event, then at the event with balance going into general distribution afterwards. TAFF

Due to the donations to charity we can't include this model in the multi-purchasing.